Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson Speaks at National Press Club June 23
President Barack Obama’s nomination of Ambassador Johnnie Carson to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs should not come as a surprise. Ambassador Carson has an extensive history of involvement with Africa, including time spent as a Peace Corps volunteer and over 30 years as a career diplomat. He spoke yesterday, June 23, to an audience consisting of members of the African Diplomatic Corps, Africa focused NGOs, and other Africanists at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. The event was conducted by the Constituency for Africa and the African American Unity Caucus.
Carson offered a framework designed to engage Africa in a way that would promote stability and progress for the people, institutions, and states of the continent. Subsequently, he cited four major issues that inform and shape U.S. policies towards Africa: Democracy, Conflict Prevention, Economic Growth, and Global Challenges.
· Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law
Highlighting the recent peaceful democratic elections held in Ghana, Carson noted that democracy and the rule of law are vital stabilizing elements. They are further strengthened by freedom of the civil society, which serves as a benchmark for preserving democracy. The rule of law must therefore maintain such democratic values as religious tolerance and a free media. Although Ghana serves as an exemplary nation with a stable democracy, Carson observed that some African nations are still plagued by a number of challenges that threaten their democratic institutions and values, including: Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Kenya. Although Carson noted that these three nations differ in the challenges that confront them, he argued that fragile institutions are a notorious source of instability on the continent.
· Conflict Mitigation and Prevention
Carson stated that U.S. policy towards Africa is determined to act diplomatically and in timely fashion in order to prevent conflicts. He elaborated on the economic and democratic problems engendered by conflict, emphasizing the need to confront and prevent crises from erupting, particularly in vulnerable nations like Somalia, Kenya, and Mauritania. Carson was however pleased to discuss the progress made in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola, and Southern Sudan where, in the past few years, there has been significant success in mitigating conflict. Unfortunately, he pointed out, Southern Somalia, Eastern Congo, and the Darfur region of Sudan remain areas of deep concern.
· Sustained and Long-Term Economic Growth
According to Carson, the recent global economic recession has led to a regression of gains made across the continent in the past 10 years. Investment in Africa has declined, commodity exports have lessened, and financial institutions are not eager to put money in African markets. Nonetheless, Carson maintained that there will be major emphasis and support for sustained economic growth on the continent, which will partly entail a major focus on food security and the development of agricultural initiatives. Noting that over 70 percent of Africans are dependent on agriculture as a primary or secondary source of income, Carson argued that the growth of this relatively neglected sector will reduce poverty and support the livelihood of families relying on farming.
· New and Old Global Challenges
Carson also spoke about the effects of climate change and environmental challenges on the continent, which he reiterated should receive more attention. Observing that there will be winners and losers in the inevitable climate change crisis, he admitted the sad truth that Africa is destined to be a loser. Other ecological challenges addressed by Carson were in relation to fossil fuels and the deepening problem of drug-trafficking in West Africa.
Concluding his presentation, Carson insisted on the openness of his office to views and opinions that serve the interest and future of Africa’s growth, and promised to continue to dialogue with members of the Africanist community who are committed to progress on the continent. . He underscored the resolve of this administration to continue to pay close attention to issues affecting Africa and, in this regard, made specific references to commitments by Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Obama. Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton will be traveling to the continent in the next few months, with Obama visiting Ghana in July and Secretary Clinton attending an August AGOA meeting in Kenya.
President Barack Obama’s nomination of Ambassador Johnnie Carson to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs should not come as a surprise. Ambassador Carson has an extensive history of involvement with Africa, including time spent as a Peace Corps volunteer and over 30 years as a career diplomat. He spoke yesterday, June 23, to an audience consisting of members of the African Diplomatic Corps, Africa focused NGOs, and other Africanists at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. The event was conducted by the Constituency for Africa and the African American Unity Caucus.
Carson offered a framework designed to engage Africa in a way that would promote stability and progress for the people, institutions, and states of the continent. Subsequently, he cited four major issues that inform and shape U.S. policies towards Africa: Democracy, Conflict Prevention, Economic Growth, and Global Challenges.
· Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law
Highlighting the recent peaceful democratic elections held in Ghana, Carson noted that democracy and the rule of law are vital stabilizing elements. They are further strengthened by freedom of the civil society, which serves as a benchmark for preserving democracy. The rule of law must therefore maintain such democratic values as religious tolerance and a free media. Although Ghana serves as an exemplary nation with a stable democracy, Carson observed that some African nations are still plagued by a number of challenges that threaten their democratic institutions and values, including: Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Kenya. Although Carson noted that these three nations differ in the challenges that confront them, he argued that fragile institutions are a notorious source of instability on the continent.
· Conflict Mitigation and Prevention
Carson stated that U.S. policy towards Africa is determined to act diplomatically and in timely fashion in order to prevent conflicts. He elaborated on the economic and democratic problems engendered by conflict, emphasizing the need to confront and prevent crises from erupting, particularly in vulnerable nations like Somalia, Kenya, and Mauritania. Carson was however pleased to discuss the progress made in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola, and Southern Sudan where, in the past few years, there has been significant success in mitigating conflict. Unfortunately, he pointed out, Southern Somalia, Eastern Congo, and the Darfur region of Sudan remain areas of deep concern.
· Sustained and Long-Term Economic Growth
According to Carson, the recent global economic recession has led to a regression of gains made across the continent in the past 10 years. Investment in Africa has declined, commodity exports have lessened, and financial institutions are not eager to put money in African markets. Nonetheless, Carson maintained that there will be major emphasis and support for sustained economic growth on the continent, which will partly entail a major focus on food security and the development of agricultural initiatives. Noting that over 70 percent of Africans are dependent on agriculture as a primary or secondary source of income, Carson argued that the growth of this relatively neglected sector will reduce poverty and support the livelihood of families relying on farming.
· New and Old Global Challenges
Carson also spoke about the effects of climate change and environmental challenges on the continent, which he reiterated should receive more attention. Observing that there will be winners and losers in the inevitable climate change crisis, he admitted the sad truth that Africa is destined to be a loser. Other ecological challenges addressed by Carson were in relation to fossil fuels and the deepening problem of drug-trafficking in West Africa.
Concluding his presentation, Carson insisted on the openness of his office to views and opinions that serve the interest and future of Africa’s growth, and promised to continue to dialogue with members of the Africanist community who are committed to progress on the continent. . He underscored the resolve of this administration to continue to pay close attention to issues affecting Africa and, in this regard, made specific references to commitments by Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Obama. Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton will be traveling to the continent in the next few months, with Obama visiting Ghana in July and Secretary Clinton attending an August AGOA meeting in Kenya.
